Windows Phone may represent the Finnish firm's focus in the west, but in developing markets, Nokia's Series 40 range – recently refreshed at Nokia World 2011 – continues to do big numbers for the company.

Indeed, Nokia has claimed lifetime-to-date sales of Series 40 handsets have just passed the 1.5 billion mark globally, with the landmark sale having been made by a customer in Sao Paulo.

Big sales, lite devices

"We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone," said VP of mobile phones Mary McDowell.

"Having 1.5 billion Series 40 devices sold is a hard-to-reach mark, let alone one attainable in a single line of products.

"At a time when we are maintaining our commitment to connecting the next billion customers around the world - it is gratifying to consider how Series 40 devices have made mobile technology accessible and help continue to change people's lives for the better."

The first Series 40 handset was launched back in 1999.

 

Nokia's current Asha range of Series 40 handsets are dubbed 'smartphone lite', pitched at consumers in developing markets looking to use apps and social tools for the first time.

[source: MarketWatch]